IN THE police service, it is common for the lower units to receive memorandum directing us to intensify our target hardening measures everytime there are serious incidents that transpire like terroristic attacks and NPA attacks. This usually follows after the higher ups declare the alert status to heightened or full alert.
In the case of series of bombing in Sultan Kudarat, Cagayan de Oro City Police Office City Director PSSUPT Nelson Aganon has requested the augmentation of 350 members from the Regional Public Safety Battalion to be deployed in the areas where possible target of terrorism like markets, churches, terminals, malls and the like in compliance to the directives in our Target Hardening Measures to ensure the maintenance of peace and order of the city.
In addition, PSSUPT Aganon declared in his level the “Full Alert” status to maximize the usage of its personnel in making the city safe. The concept adapted was that the more personnel on the ground, the stronger security measures will be in place.
Though COCPO would like to inform the public that there has been no intelligence report as of this time on threats regarding terroristic attacks in the city.
As a results of our tightened target hardening measures, the public must know that there will be strict implementation of checkpoints, more police visibility, intensified Oplan Bakal Sita, and other security adjustments which may cause inconvenience to the public.
The more that the security forces will implement the heightened security measures, the more the inconvenience might be experienced. The good thing to note as an exchange of this inconvenience is the safety and security of the individual life and property as well as to their family, love ones and the city in general.
The police often times receive criticisms when there are security measures being implemented to assure the safety and security of the public just like the recent cutting off of cellphone signals and the present closure of some streets of the market areas as part of the measures being implemented by the security task force. All these are aimed to prevent the Isulan bombing to happen in the city.
We as a community want our city to be safe, but we get angry in little inconveniences. Maybe we need to ask ourselves, “Do we want a tragedy to happen here as what had happened in Basilan and Isulan weeks ago or do we want for our city to be safe and secure?
I think majority of the people would want safety and security. The Oro police together with the members of Security Task Force will never allow the desire of convenience of a few to affect the security and safety of the many.
Our city director assures the public that Security Task Force is in full control but we need the support, help, cooperation and understanding of the public since the latter is not the only one affected by inconvenience but our security forces as well. Our forces also hopes that once in a while we can also enjoy that stress free duty moment which is far away from the problems that we usually encounter everyday but it seems that for now such hopes will still be a dream because in the present situation, the security forces must double our efforts to protect the city.
As we perform our mandated task, we hope that the public will do their responsibilities also because in crime prevention we must work together to be successful in maintaining better peace and order.
According to former Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer Eduardo Escueta, “this approach will definitely facilitate the transition from traditional reactive incident-driven model of policing to a proactive style of policing which seeks to identify and dynamically resolve community and development problems” which is why we are intensifying the conduct of checkpoints and more police visibility covering most areas in the city to ensure the maintenance of peace and order and to thwart criminalities and terroristic activities.
In line with our faithful compliance to our mandate, we are getting closer to the community that we serve and hopefully be regarded as your partner in community development.
Moreover, as we celebrate the 24th National Crime Prevention Week with this year’s theme: “Mamamayan, Sama-samang Makialam Upang Krimen at Korapsiyon ay Hadlangan,” we are bringing the crime prevention campaigns everywhere in the city to raise people’s participation in creating a secure and safe environment for everyone.
As a matter of fact, talking about crime statistics, the city’s crime volume now has significantly dropped compared to last year’s.
We live in this community for its beautiful views and way of life. Ensuring public safety is our primary concern. With your cooperation we will continue to make Oro a safer city.